cardiac assessment Flashcards
When conducting cardiac assessment, what do we want to review?
patient’s present illness
overview of general cardiovascular status
Examination of patient’s general health status
survey lifestyle for risk factors for CAD
If there is evidence of CAD or risk of heart disease, what do we always assume?
Chest pain is caused by MI until proven otherwise
What other non-pain symptoms can signal cardiac dysfunction?
dyspnea
palpitations
cough
fatigue
edema
ischemic leg pain
noctura
syncope
cyanosis
What are priorities during physical inspection?
General appearance
Examine the extremities
Estimate jugular distention
observe apical pulse
What do we look at for when assessing general appearance?
Central cyanosis (center of the body)
painful expressions
pallor, clubbing
body posture
signs of confusion/lethargy (Anxiety is first sign of confusion)
When examining the extremities, what might we see?
Peripheral cyanosis
What would pale, shiny legs with sparse hair growth mean?
arterial vascular disease
What are signs of venous disease?
Edematous limb with deep red rubber, brown discoloration, and frequently leg ulcerations
Why do we assess jugular vein?
Indicates signs of increased venous pressure
When does JVD occur?
when CVP is elevated
Where is the apical impulse?
Left ventricle contracts during systole and rotates forward
What are priorities for palpation?
Assess arterial pulse
Evaluate cap refill
Estimate edema
If blood pressure down by 20, and/or HR up up by 20, what does that mean?
patient is “orthostatic”
What does orthostatic mean?
Hypovolemic OR problem with ANS, or heart has problem adjusting to cardiac output
How many pairs of bilateral arterial pulses are there?
7
Carotid brachial radial ulnar popliteal dorsal pedis posterior tibial arteries
